Meatless Monday: The Best Beans to Build a Meatless Meal

Beans get a bad rap. They're better known for their anti-social side effects that their good taste and nutritional value -- not to mention their low price! For less than a 25 cents a cup, beans are the cheapest source of protein. Beans are one of nature's super foods, and are brilliant building block for your #MeatlessMonday.

Beans — not even the magic ones — are not only a heart healthy source of protein, they can also help lower bad cholesterol. What’s more they’re low in fat (usually only 2-3%), and packed with disease-fighting antioxidants. In fact a recent study measuring the antioxidant capacities of more than 100 common foods, ranked three types of beans within the top four: small red beans, red kidney beans, and pinto beans.

Still not nuts about beans? Heard about the slimming benefits they can have on your body? High in soluble fiber, beans take a long time to digest, making you feel fuller longer, and helping you reduce the temptation to snack between meals.

Here’s an eclectic array of bean recipes that’ll make eating meatless on Mondays both easy and interesting.

Vegetable Stuffed Peppers with pinto beans are packed with vitamins and minerals, and are particularly high in potassium, which helps support a healthy heart.